Virgin Trains apologises as Olympian ‘challenged’ over seat

Olympian Louis Smith live tweets race row on Virgin trains as conductor asks him ‘and a black passenger’ to show they have first class tickets – but no one else

Claims worker only asked the black passengers to show their first class tickets

The 29-year-old Team GB athlete shared his experience on social media

He said it involved a waiter serving drinks on the Virgin East Coast train

Louis Smith, 29, shared his experience on Twitter to his 255,000 followers

Virgin Trains has apologised after it was claimed that a staff member challenged only Olympic star Louis Smith and another black passenger about their first class tickets.

The 29-year-old Team GB athlete shared his experience on social media, where he explains there was an uncomfortable moment between his fellow passenger and a waiter who was serving drinks on the Virgin East Coast train.

Former European champ Smith tweeted his 255,000 followers that the worker asked the black passenger to prove that he had a first class ticket, before continuing to serve other passengers teas and coffees.

He said: ‘This train journey certainly got a lot more interesting and political.

Louis Smith Tweeted his 255,000 followers that the worker asked the black passenger to prove that he had a first class ticket, before continuing to serve other passengers teas and coffees

‘When he gets to me he asks if I want any [drinks]. I decline. He then asks if I have a first class ticket, I said yes.

‘He said can I see it. I said yes but don’t you believe me? I show him, he accepts it and carries on serving!’

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Double Olympic silver medalist Louis then went on to explain how the other passenger confronted the waiter over his behaviour.

He added: ‘The quite upset and understandably intrigued gentleman asks why he’s asked the only 2 black passengers if they are meant to be in first class.

The 29-year-old Team GB athlete shared his experience on social media, where he explains there was an uncomfortable moment between his fellow passenger and a waiter

Double Olympic silver medallist Louis then went on to explain how the other passenger confronted the waiter over his behaviour.

‘This escalated quickly… is it just a coincidence or not… what do you think!?’

It is understood that the train manager apologised for the waiter’s behaviour, and said that he was not even allowed to check passengers’ tickets.